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Cameron Poetzscher Looks at the Challenges Facing Olympic Sailors in Rio

7/7/2016

15 Comments

 

Final Preps for Rio 2016: Far from Plain Sailing

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​The Rio Olympics are just around the corner, and yet in many ways they couldn’t be further away. In six weeks global attention will turn to Rio de Janeiro for the world’s largest sporting event; however, the city and games organizers are a long way from being ready. The hurdles facing Rio are a unique combination of logistical, natural and man-made problems.

Olympic sailing throws up a huge variety of highly competitive events over 10 separate classes, meaning there will be 10 gold medals on offer to successful countries. Events are often decided by seconds or meters, so it’s essential that the course and conditions for athletes are fair. 

Sailing at the 2012 Summer OlympicsPicture
Only last week, members of the Australian Paralympic sailing team were mugged in Rio. Security in the city is a well publicized issue, with local and national authorities doing their best to mitigate risks to fans. However, the safety of athletes needs to be paramount. 
The biggest problem Olympic sailors will face is not security though, it is pollution. 

The setting for the sailing in Rio 2016 is Guanabara Bay: a picturesque bay framed by rising rocky peaks, which is also notoriously filthy, often littered with household rubbish, and has alarmingly high levels of water pollution. The issue with dirty water extends beyond health concerns for the athletes; it has the ability to affect results. In a tightly contested race to the line for a gold medal, catching a plastic bag on a rudder could be the difference between gold and silver or bronze and no medal at all. 

A cleanup operation has been slowly ongoing at Guanabara Bay. Catchment nets are in place on streams that flow into the bay, and clean-up boats, guided by helicopter, are working to collect rubbish in the vicinity. Efforts are being made, although many are concerned that they are too little too late. 

Let's keep fingers firmly crossed that the sailing at Rio makes the news for all the right reasons.
15 Comments
Caroline Kaugher
7/19/2016 05:21:58 am

Wow, I never even thought about how clean the water is for some of these events, that would certainly put a damper on things and cause some real issues! Let's hope they get it cleaned up, not just for the events, but for life.

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Stacey Bryson
7/19/2016 05:58:59 am

I didn't realize that this was such a concern. It's a shame. I hope they get it cleaned up in time for the Olympics and that it continues to stay clean!

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John Kaugher
7/19/2016 06:19:16 am

I have been hearing a lot about how Brazil should get their thing together and this story is disheartening. As a fellow sailor, I wish the best for the olympic team and other athletes to compete in a country where they don't really care. Best wishes to everyone!

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Tim C
7/19/2016 06:53:36 am

Hope all goes well and there is a positive outcome. Great article!

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Mona
7/19/2016 07:50:15 am

Sad commentary on the conditions at Rio. I was hoping the Olympics could bring some much-needed relief to the overwhelmingly depressing news these days. Now it seems that might not be the case.

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Sally Mays
7/19/2016 02:13:58 pm

Never was interested in sailing, until now! super excited for it all!

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HannahV
7/19/2016 04:02:53 pm

Wow, I didn't know the bay was so littered. Hopefully they can clean things up so it doesn't affect the sailors much.

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Shasta McAnally Martin
7/19/2016 06:41:39 pm

I don't usually follow the Olympics but Rio is an amazing place. I may have to check it out this year. I enjoy sailing so I might get into it.

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Michelle EB
7/19/2016 08:47:08 pm

I love Rio de Janeiro and I love sports. And I am so excited for more sports articles from the author of this great blog – Mr. Poetzscher.

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Lulia Vantur link
7/20/2016 03:31:26 am

Wow..I enjoy this article. Hope everything has a positive outcome in the end. Thanks for share this.

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Doris Clay
7/20/2016 11:45:12 am

There are concerns of water contamination in the beautiful waters of Rio. Hopefully this doesn't put a damper on the sailing competition.

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Sam
7/20/2016 10:59:40 pm

Water pollution has become a very important concern for a lot of folks, especially for those who have gone to sailing. I hope they will do well in the Olympic competition and good luck to those who go for the challenge for sailing.

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Lina
7/21/2016 01:38:35 pm

Very interesting article! Hoping they will get everything clean on time and good luck to the sailors!

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Vincent Agosta
7/22/2016 01:42:29 pm

I wish the best for these sailors and that they all perform to the gold standard. Im sure the bay will be safe during the event.

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John Willz
7/23/2016 12:51:47 pm

The elements will certainly be a huge factor for the sailing teams. I think the native teams to those regions will have a huge advantage, because you can't simulate that stuff to be able to practice in it.

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    Cameron Poetzscher

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    Cameron Poetzscher is a Harvard Business School graduate with extensive M&A, business strategy and operations experience.
    He is the VP of Corporate Development at Uber, and is passionate about sport.

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